Lifestyle Changes to Manage Type 1 Diabetes

What and how much you eat, when and how much insulin you take, and how much you exercise are major factors in diabetes management that you can control. It is important for you to learn how to eat a
healthy diet
and to incorporate
regular exercise
into your daily life.

Diet

The dietary guidelines for managing diabetes can seem complicated. However, you will see that the recommendations are the same as those for general good health, and you can eat the same foods as everyone else. A nutritionist can help you make sense of these guidelines and help you develop healthy eating patterns that will work for you. Ask your doctor for a referral to a certified diabetes educator (CDE) registered nutritionist.

The basic eating guidelines for people with type 1 diabetes are:

Follow a Routine

Eat three balanced meals, and do not skip meals. Try to eat meals at the same time each day, with about the same amount of carbohydrate, protein, and fat as the same meal the day before. In case a meal is delayed, keep snacks with you at all times.

Your blood sugar rises and falls in response to your eating patterns. Therefore, by eating about the same amount and types of food at the same times each day, you can easily predict when your blood sugar level will rise. This makes it easier to match your insulin dose with these rises in blood sugar.

Fill Your Plate with Healthy Choices

To make sure that you are getting the nutrients that you need, follow the United States Department of Agriculture’s
Choose My Plate
guidelines. Choose My Plate encourages you to:

Add a serving of meat or meat substitute, such as chicken, fish, shrimp, or tofu.

Drink a glass of fat-free or low-fat milk with your meal.

For desert, eat a piece of fruit.

Control Carbohydrates

Both sugar (glucose) and starch are carbohydrates. Your body reacts to any type of carbohydrate in the same way, so the total amount of carbohydrate you eat is more important for blood sugar control than the source.

A dietitian can help you determine how many grams you should eat per day. This amount should be dispersed evenly throughout your meals and snacks. Many foods contain carbohydrates. White grain products, citrus fruits, and milk products contain the highest amounts.

Keep a Record

Keep a record of your meals, include the time you ate, what you ate, and how much. Include this information with your blood sugar levels and insulin dosages. This information is very helpful for your doctor and registered dietitian.

Methods of Dietary Planning

There are two main methods for planning your meals: the exchange system and carbohydrate counting. Meet with a registered dietitian to determine which of these systems will work for you and to learn the details of using it.

Exchange System

This
system
divides all food into six groups—starch, fruit, milk, vegetable, meat, and fat. Within each of these groups are defined servings, or exchanges of food items. Each exchange within a given group has the same calories and grams of fat, protein, and carbohydrate as every other exchange in that category.

For example, each of the following counts as one starch exchange:

½ cup of cooked pasta

1 slice of bread

1 small (3 oz.) baked potato

1 ounce of dry cereal

You can use these (and other starch exchanges) interchangeably when your meal plan calls for one starch.

In the exchange meal planning system, your dietitian will determine the number of calories you need each day and translate them into exchanges from each of the six food categories. Then, he or she will work with you to distribute these exchanges across your meals and snacks for the day.

Carbohydrate Counting

Carbohydrate counting is based on the fact that carbohydrate has the strongest effect on blood sugar level, as compared with fat and protein. Your doctor and/or dietitian will determine how many grams of carbohydrate you need each day. Your doctor will determine the amount of insulin you need for each gram of carbohydrate you eat. Then, these grams are distributed evenly across your meals and snacks. You can choose foods based on the amount of carbohydrate they contain.

Carbohydrates differ in the degree and rapidity with which they raise blood sugar. Whole grains and certain other complex carbohydrates raise blood sugar less than simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, white rice, or potatoes. These complex carbohydrates are said to have a low glycemic index, and their consumption has been shown in some studies to improve control of diabetes without increasing risk for hypoglycemia.

Exercise

Regular exercise is essential for everyone to ensure better health. For people with diabetes, it offers extra benefits, including:

Lowering blood sugar and improving the body's ability to use glucose—in some cases, regular exercise can decrease the amount of insulin necessary for blood glucose control

Lowering risk factors for heart disease, a common complication of diabetes

Talk with your doctor about your exercise program. Since exercise causes your blood sugar to drop, you may need to make some modifications in your insulin dose and schedule and your eating plan. For some people, and in some situations, exercise can increase blood sugar levels. Moreover, have your doctor screen you for any diabetic complication(s), especially heart disease, which may be made worse by exercise.

Smoking

Smoking may negatively affect your ability to control your diabetes.
Quitting smoking
can also reduce your risk of numerous conditions, like
heart disease
, lung disease, and certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about strategies to quit.

Sleep

A good night’s sleep is not only important for having energy and alertness, but is also essential in managing weight and controlling the blood sugar. You should try to get a minimum of 7-8 hours sleep per night.

When to Contact Your Doctor

If you have any questions about your eating plan.

If you feel that your eating plan is too difficult to follow.

When you want to start up an exercise program or make significant changes in your present program.

If you have any symptoms of hypoglycemia after exercising. Symptoms include shakiness, lightheadedness, extreme sweating, hunger, headache, and pale skin color.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.